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Bob Dylan Casts Willie Nelson as an 'Ancient Viking Soul' in New Yorker Profile

Dylan's remarks answer a New Yorker request to describe a longtime collaborator.

Overview

  • Quoted in the feature, Dylan calls Nelson an “Ancient Viking Soul,” “Master Builder of the Impossible,” and “Moonshine Philosopher,” among other labels.
  • Dylan paints vivid images of Nelson’s artistry, likening his battered guitar to “the last loyal dog in the universe” and his voice to “a warm porchlight.”
  • He concludes by praising Nelson’s character as kind, generous, tolerant, and understanding of human frailty, saying “that’s what makes him Willie.”
  • The comments appear in The New Yorker profile titled How Willie Nelson Sees America.
  • The pair co-headlined the 2025 Outlaw Music Festival; Nelson, 92, released Oh What A Beautiful World in April, and Dylan, 84, has announced a 2026 tour starting in March in Nebraska.